5 Things to Consider when Shopping for a New Refrigerator

Buying a fridge is one of those shopping experiences you don’t get too often. The one you have at your parent’s home could have been there for ages. Your landlord, of course, bought the one in your furnished condo.

When you do get the chance to shop for one—maybe to furnish that new unit you bought with your hubby or to replace the old one that finally broke down after a decade of service—you have to take the task seriously to get your money’s worth. Consider these five important things:

1. The Right Size

Not everyone has enormous kitchen space, so make sure the large gadget fits yours and goes well with the rest of your kitchen equipment. Also consider if opening the door (or doors) of the fridge won’t obstruct the areas where you walk or where you cook.

2. The Features You Need (or Want)

If you’re looking for only the essentials, then mechanical temperature control, interior LED lamps, adjustable legs, and a deodorizer are a few of the standard features that your fridge should have. If you’re willing to splurge, look for smart technology like cycle defrost systems and top-of-the-line materials like stainless steel.

3. An Ideal Layout

One thing you can hate about old or hand-me-down fridges is how they can’t seem to fit what you want to store or how you can’t seem to keep them organized. Look for a unit with the right number of shelves, special drawers for items like medicines and makeup, and ample space for whatever you’ll be refrigerating—especially if you’re fond of freezing trays of lasagna, storing ice cream cake, and chilling tall bottles of wine.

4. Value For Money

First, the unit price must be within your budget—whether you’re paying for it in full or you’re getting a payment installment plan. Second, big-ticket kitchen appliances like this should last about 5 to 10 (even 15) years. Make sure it has a comprehensive warranty provision, too, so you don’t have to spend extra when the compressor malfunctions.

Of course, making sure that the unit is also energy-efficient can also help you save on your utility bills in the long run. Look for the sticker that indicates the EEF (energy efficiency factor) to make sure it doesn’t cost much to operate your new fridge. Thick insulators, a DC fan motor, and an air tower design also give you energy savings as they fully utilize, distribute, and keep in cool air.

5. Premium Inverter Technology

Refrigerators from mabe-GE Partner Appliances are engineered with inverter technology, which ensures that the kitchen appliance is energy-efficient (quieter and with less harmful chemical byproducts compared to others, too!) through three components: 1) a variable speed compressor that adapts to the power requirement of the refrigerator; 2) an eco-friendly refrigerant; and 3) a printed circuit board (PCB) that controls multiple electronic operations within your fridge. Unlike conventional refrigerators, units with this trending innovation can consume 30 to 50% less energy. Now that’s a bang-for-your-buck feature you’ll be smart to invest in.